The Hannibal-LaGrange University Athletic Department announces the resignation of Athletic Director Jason Nichols. Nichols has served the university for 24 years, acting as head women’s soccer coach during much of that time.
“We are so thankful to the Lord for Jason’s leadership and faithful service over the years as a coach, athletic director, and cabinet member,” HLGU’s executive cabinet said in a statement.
“My resignation was a really difficult decision, but one that I know is in obedience to the Lord.” stated Nichols. “I’m grateful for the many ways my family and I have been blessed through being part of the HLGU family. It’s been an honor to serve here, and I’ll carry with me many special memories.”
Throughout his tenure at HLGU, Nichols has assumed several roles and positions. He arrived at HLGU in 1998 as assistant men’s and women’s soccer coach, but has gone on to do many things since that time. He created the Trojan Club, a fundraising sector of the athletics department, accumulated more than 100 wins as head coach, served as president for the American Midwest Conference Executive Committee, and launched a Trojan corporate sponsorship program that has helped raise a significant amount of money for student athletes.
Additionally, his investment in the lives of young athletes resulted in Nichols being named AMC Coach of the Year in both 2010 and 2011. Last year, Nichols received the Bob Burchard American Midwest Conference (AMC) Athletic Director of the Year Award. After receiving that award his name was put into the pool of all AD’s throughout the NAIA and he was named National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Athletic Director of the Year.
Nichols’ focus on character-driven athletics has resulted in HLGU receiving the NAIA Champion of Character designation for fifteen consecutive years. From 2016-21, HLGU has received the Gold Champion of Character Award and in several of those years posted a perfect score given by the NAIA national office.
Coach David Erskine added, “Jason and I have worked together at HLGU for nearly 25 years. From us starting and building the men’s and women’s soccer teams to him leading HLGU athletics as athletic director he has been a faithful, committed, and dedicated employee of HLGU. His love for Jesus is evident and he has a sincere desire to follow God’s leading and to join Him in his work.
HLGU’s Clay Biggs, chair of the division of exercise and sport science, has been named interim director of athletics while the executive cabinet works to name the next athletic director.